Heidi Range's DOI partner suffers injury

Heidi Range's 'Dancing On Ice' partner, Sylvain Longchambon, will have to miss the first few episodes of the ITV1 show after suffering a serious arm injury

Heidi Range's 'Dancing On Ice' partner will have to miss the first few episodes after suffering a serious injury.

The Sugababes singer - who recently split from fiance Dave Berry - will now have to skate with a replacement partner after French hunk Sylvain Longchambon damaged the muscles in his right arm during rehearsals.

Bosses are hoping Sylvain - who is currently dating his former 'Dancing On Ice' partner, Jennifer Metcalfe - won't be out of action for too long as they see him and Heidi as the ITV1 show's glamour couple.

An insider revealed: "This is gutting news for everyone concerned. Heidi and Sylvain were to be the glamour couple of the new series. He hurt the muscles in his right arm while practising on the ice with Heidi. It is quite serious.

"Sylvain will be fine but it's not yet known how long he will be out. Producers are confident he will be able to recover in time to rejoin Heidi later in the series. But for now they are planning to draft in a standby professional skater to partner her until Sylvain is better.

"He will still be involved in the choreography but he will have to do it from the sidelines."

It has been claimed Heidi and Sylvain - who have been spotted practising at a London ice rink - had been getting on really well before he was injured.

One source added to The Sun newspaper: "Sylvain is one of the hunkiest professional skaters on the show and he gets a lot of female attention. Jennifer fell for his charms when they skated together last year and they are still together now.

"But that hasn't stopped producers wanting to recreate some of that sexual energy this year."

Celebrities believed to be lined up for the new series - which is being hosted by Philip Schofield and Christine Bleakley and starts next month - include Jennifer Ellison, Corey Feldman, singer Chesney Hawkes and exercise guru Rosemary Conley.